Coach reveals Carlos Prates' strategy to beat Islam Makhachev in the UFC: 'Fighting Nerds are good at this'

Prates during a fight at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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The Fighting Nerds team is already starting to structure a plan for Carlos Prates to defeat Islam Makhachev and win the Ultimate welterweight title (up to 77 kg). The smoker knocked out Leon Edwards in impressive fashion at UFC 322 and is now firmly in contention for the belt. Although he will likely need one more fight before facing the champion, his coaches are already working on strategies to surprise the Dagestani fighter.

In an interview with 'PVT', coach Flavio Alvaro detailed the first points of the plan for Carlos Prates to defeat Islam Makhachev . The coach stressed that many still don't realize the magnitude of the challenge involved in defending the Russian's takedowns. According to 'Legendário', the team's proposal is to prevent the fight from reaching the clinch, seeking to intercept the champion before the takedown with a precise reading of the Dagestani's entry patterns.

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“I’ll tell you the truth: people sometimes don’t open their eyes to this. But you’re not going to defend Makhachev’s takedowns. The guy has been training wrestling for 20 years or more, he already has all the skills, all the resources, all the physical, mental and technical capabilities sufficient to take down any human being. We have to catch him at the entrance, at a point that precedes the close combat. So, land a knee to meet him, learn his tricks, understand the moment he’s going to enter, learn his mannerisms and map out what he does before the entry, because after he enters, sorry, you’re not going to defend,” said Flavio Alvaro.

Flavio Alvaro explains how Carlos Prates should react after being overthrown by Islam Makhachev.

Carlos Prates alongside F. Álvaro (left) and C. Nogueira (right). Photo: Instagram / Cristian Nogueira

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Flavio Alvaro also highlighted the importance of handling takedowns effectively. According to him, if Carlos Prates is taken down, the focus should be on protecting himself and returning to the next round ready to find the right moment to land a decisive blow.

“Did he fall? Protect yourself so you don’t get hit and come back for the other rounds to land a hard blow, find him and finish the fight. Carlos is very tall, very big, so we’re going to be able to hurt Makhachev in the legs. You saw Leon Edwards : the victory had already come before the punch, he had already given up on the leg kicks… The path to the knockout, that’s what needs to be mapped out, and the Fighting Nerds are very good at that,” concluded the Fighting Nerds coach.

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